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Change of faces for new school year

Mo Richmond takes the reins from Sue Dauglis as Whistler secondary parent advisory council chair for the 2001/02 school year.

Mo Richmond takes the reins from Sue Dauglis as Whistler secondary parent advisory council chair for the 2001/02 school year.

Dauglis, who has served as chair for the past two years, said at the AGM held Monday, May 28, that the executive is asking for a three year commitment from those who stand for election.

The intent is for a new vice chair to learn the ropes before moving into a chair position the following year. The chair would then move on to a mentoring role as "past chair."

Patty Walhovd was elected as the new vice chair. Susie Wood continues as treasurer and Jane Reid as secretary.

"I think we have made great strides in our PAC safe schools," said Dauglis at the PAC’s final meeting for the school year.

Principal Rick Smith said there have been several positive initiatives that have grown out of some emotional issues this year, including the establishment of the Healthy Communities committee, the Safe Schools committee, the Drug and Alcohol committee and the hiring of youth co-ordinator Greg McDonnell.

"Greg has been a real plus for an awful lot of kids… a great addition," said Smith who will be leaving Whistler secondary to take a new post as administrator of Brackendale secondary school effective July 1.

Smith, WSS administrator since the high school opened doors to students in September 1996, requested the transfer. He takes over from Tom Croft, who is retiring after 39 years of service in Sea to Sky country.

The WSS PAC will be dealing with a completely new administrative team at Whistler secondary next year. Although a new principal has not yet been named, a vice principal has.

Michel Chartrand takes up this role effective Aug. 1.

He has been an educator for over 21 years. He received his Pre-Masters in Education Administration and Foundation from the University of Manitoba in 1987. He has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Winnipeg and by the end of May, he will have completed his thesis for his Masters of Education in Educational Administration at the University of British Columbia.

Chartrand has six years of experience in both elementary and secondary schools, including three years as vice-principal at Point Grey secondary school in Vancouver.

He is currently in his third year as vice principal at Technical Vocational high school in Winnipeg.

The PAC ends its year with a healthy bank balance. In addition to $11,000 already sitting in a savings account, the PAC, to date, has a budget surplus of almost $1,800.

The Myrtle Philip elementary PAC AGM will be held Tuesday, June 12.